Tree-Killing & Stump Removal

Trees are beautiful to look at and they contribute much to the health of
our environment. However, sometimes there is a good reason why it is necessary
to eliminate one from the garden. For example, willow, locust and maple roots
get into drains; disease or weather might destroy a tree; a tree may outgrow
its location or adequate pruning might not be feasible.

Some people kill an unwanted tree by girdling it, thus cutting off the flow
of life-giving sap. This will indeed kill the tree, but a dead tree becomes
a source of danger and still has to be cut down eventual1y. A much better
solution is to get rid of the tree immediately. The stump can then be killed
and dug out or burned up...or it might become a part of the landscape plan.

The best time to out down a tree and be fairly assured that it will not survive
is in late May or mid-August. By attaching ropes to each section of the tree
before it is out, you can control the direction of its fall. Do not cut too
large a section at one time and it is best to enlist the aid of a neighbor
or friend to accomplish the task with safety.

Once the tree has been removed, the stump can be killed as follows: Bore
holes at a slanting angle around the top of the stump. The holes should be
about one and one-half inches in diameter and from eight to ten inches deep.
Fill them with salt peter (nitrate of potash) or a commercial stump-killing
product. The material will spread through the stump and prevent sucker growth
from appearing. If the stump has green foliage growth on it now, you can
apply a Blackberry Vine or Brush Killer to the foliage as a first step. Be
sure this material does not touch any desirable vegetation, except the plant
suckers you are trying to destroy. Read and follow label instructions.

REMOVAL OF DEAD STUMPS

Once the stump is dead, you may want to hire someone to remove
it from your property. However, this may be impractical because of the location
of the stump or the cost involved. An alternative is to burn the stump and
fill in the area with soil.

If you decide to burn the stump, salt peter or a stump-killer should be placed
in the holes you have drilled. The holes should be in the main stump and
in the "fangs". Salt peter is available in many garden supply stores, where
it is sold as a fertilizer.

Once the stump-killing material has been applied, pour hot water into the
holes. This treatment will dissolve the material and in solution it will
be distributed all through the stump. As the water is dissipated, more must
be added to keep the holes full until all the stump-killer is gone.

This treatment will prevent the stump from bursting into flames when it is
burned and will keep it smoldering until nothing is left except the wood
ash.

FIRE PERMIT REQUIRED

If you plan to burn the remaining stump, it will be necessary to obtain a
fire permit before burning is begun. Information on local regulations can
be obtained and a site inspection may be required. For environmental and
fire hazard reasons, authorities are more lenient on issuance of permits
between the months of October and May.

CIRCULATION OF SAP

When tree sap travel from root to leaves or is circulating, it travels up
and down the main trunk. There is practically no sideways movement. It is
necessary, therefore, to be sure the holes are spaced diagonally around the
trunk, to ensure a full treatment.